PRS-T1 Sony T1 is Android - Page 2

readingglasses · 09-03-2011, 01:05 PM

I just want this thing to be released and see what people find when they check out the filesystem.

Or if sony releases the open source parts' code on that opensourcesony or linuxsony or whatever it's called.

If it's compatible with prs+, great.
If it's android and breaks compatibility with prs+ but is standard enough to allow adding lots of android apps and they actually are usable, great.
If it's android and it's kind of customized and encrypted etc...so that you can't actually take advantage of android apps...that sucks and it's just another reader, software wise.

What would be the best is if they created some kind interface where it's android but it still interprets the original javascript and all the rest of the core code from the earlier firmware. But that's optimistic. However, the demo videos so far do kind of look like the earlier firmware on the x50s. They aren't completely different. So...maybe?

Kartu, when I read that whole "buttons suggest android" thing I actually started googling "android button standards" to see if google had some dictator complex, where they only license android if you agree to use their standard icons. What they have is some standard but optional, general guidelines on what the menu icons should look like. And they offer lots of examples that show a great variety of styles are acceptable.
I think engadget is just stealing ideas from this forum. Someone else in the forums said they thought the button icons "looked like" android and I'll bet the engadget writer thought he was smart by "picking up" on it.
People here know more about these gizmos than the tech sites. Even when they don't.

I think we'll just have to wait for october to roll around.

Fungii · 09-03-2011, 02:47 PM

There's a video in the News section here where a Sony representative says unequivocally that the new reader is running Sony software and not Android.

Analogus · 09-03-2011, 04:13 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOMi8...layer_embedded

readingglasses · 09-03-2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fungii

There's a video in the News section here where a Sony representative says unequivocally that the new reader is running Sony software and not Android.

I guess engadget can update their news now.

readingglasses · 09-03-2011, 10:16 PM

I guess we won't have to wait until october after all. You can get disappointed right now!

Rizla · 09-12-2011, 08:07 PM

Maybe, maybe not.
The rep in the aforementioned video may not know what he's talking about it. When asked if it is Android, he does a long Urrrrrr, shuffles some paper, then says No. He seems far from certain.
Someone else has stated they asked rep if it was Android and he was evasive.
Either way, Sony appear coy on subject.

OrganicJerk · 09-13-2011, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Analogus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOMi8...layer_embedded

Those menu systems and pop-up windows placement, styling and layout are all collectively indicative of an Android backend. I'd say this video confirms that, even if the rep is coy (or ignorant) on the matter.

Any one of us can take out an Android devide and browse around some reader apps to see what a typical "menu" on an android app looks like, complete with menu item placement, etc.

That's definitely Android. Question from this point is how much of the real backend is left to open up.

And I just got a nook! Arrgh.

kartu · 09-13-2011, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrganicJerk

That's definitely Android.

It's definitely not Android and looks very close to what was found on older models, so do not regret buying nook if having mentioned OS was your goal.

log · 09-13-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartu

It's definitely not Android and looks very close to what was found on older models, so do not regret buying nook if having mentioned OS was your goal.

Why do you say it is not?

I have to agree with OrganicJerk, either they totally ripped off the UI conventions and the look and feel, or it is indeed Sony's software running on top of Android.

We can't for certain until we got some more official confirmation, but I'd put my money on the fact this device is running on an Android platform.

edit: Also just saw the manual posted in News forum. It looks there is a "Turn on USB Storage" screen that I've seen on just about every Android device when you plug it into USB to access the SD card.

OrganicJerk · 09-13-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartu

It's definitely not Android and looks very close to what was found on older models, so do not regret buying nook if having mentioned OS was your goal.

There's always the possibility, just like everything else in the universe. But at this point with that video and the experience I've had with my rooted nook, I would put money down on it being Android.

Tony1988 · 09-13-2011, 01:24 PM

I hope its not android. Im sick of it. Sonys os was fine before. I dont think an ereader needs an open source like android. Its a frickin device to read novels on, not play games etc. Get a tablet if thats what you want.

kartu · 09-13-2011, 01:27 PM

e-Ink reader hardware is VERY different from mobile platform. "E-Ink programming" is "calculate updated UI, update the screen, switch to sleep mode" => VERY different from what one does on mobile platform.

It is technically possible to build crazy android version, but it's a huge effort. Sony already does have a powerful UI framework, that is even optimized for e-ink. There is no business requirement for such device to support installable apps. Usual android apps wouldn't work anyway, for reason mentioned above. So what incentive is left for Sony to do it? Just having an over-hyped buzzword in the list? Makes no sense.

charleski · 09-13-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizla

When asked if it is Android, he does a long Urrrrrr, shuffles some paper, then says No. He seems far from certain.

Also, take a look at the section from 0:29 on:
"Here you see here in the left corner, urrrrrrrrm, that we're now at the upper half of the left column"

Aha! But are we???

Of course, all these ums and ahs could juuust be, maybe possibly because English isn't his first language....

graycyn · 09-13-2011, 02:09 PM

I'm just as happy if it is the regular Sony software, I've been QUITE happy with that interface and really don't see a need for Android. I don't need apps, or games or whatever, I just need my reader to read books. My 950 does that very well indeed. So count me in the "don't fix what ain't broke" camp.

log · 09-13-2011, 02:34 PM

I think it will be feel like regular Sony software for the most part for you, and will not change the current experience.

But the fact that it seems more and more likely that it is an Android device opens a world of possibilities for "enthusiasts" who like pushing the limits of what these devices can do.

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09-03-2011, 01:05 PM	#16
readingglasses Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 9252 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: (prospective) kobo touch	I just want this thing to be released and see what people find when they check out the filesystem. Or if sony releases the open source parts' code on that opensourcesony or linuxsony or whatever it's called. If it's compatible with prs+, great. If it's android and breaks compatibility with prs+ but is standard enough to allow adding lots of android apps and they actually are usable, great. If it's android and it's kind of customized and encrypted etc...so that you can't actually take advantage of android apps...that sucks and it's just another reader, software wise. What would be the best is if they created some kind interface where it's android but it still interprets the original javascript and all the rest of the core code from the earlier firmware. But that's optimistic. However, the demo videos so far do kind of look like the earlier firmware on the x50s. They aren't completely different. So...maybe? Kartu, when I read that whole "buttons suggest android" thing I actually started googling "android button standards" to see if google had some dictator complex, where they only license android if you agree to use their standard icons. What they have is some standard but optional, general guidelines on what the menu icons should look like. And they offer lots of examples that show a great variety of styles are acceptable. I think engadget is just stealing ideas from this forum. Someone else in the forums said they thought the button icons "looked like" android and I'll bet the engadget writer thought he was smart by "picking up" on it. People here know more about these gizmos than the tech sites. Even when they don't. I think we'll just have to wait for october to roll around.

09-03-2011, 02:47 PM	#17
Fungii Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-300	There's a video in the News section here where a Sony representative says unequivocally that the new reader is running Sony software and not Android.

09-03-2011, 04:13 PM	#18
Analogus Fanatic Posts: 568 Karma: 2170348 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: 2x Sony PRS-350; PRS-300 (†), Paperwhite (†), Voyage	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOMi8...layer_embedded

09-03-2011, 10:16 PM	#20
readingglasses Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 9252 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: (prospective) kobo touch	I guess we won't have to wait until october after all. You can get disappointed right now!

09-12-2011, 08:07 PM	#21
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Maybe, maybe not. The rep in the aforementioned video may not know what he's talking about it. When asked if it is Android, he does a long Urrrrrr, shuffles some paper, then says No. He seems far from certain. Someone else has stated they asked rep if it was Android and he was evasive. Either way, Sony appear coy on subject.

09-13-2011, 01:24 PM	#26
Tony1988 Guru Posts: 718 Karma: 4033862 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: sony prs-350	I hope its not android. Im sick of it. Sonys os was fine before. I dont think an ereader needs an open source like android. Its a frickin device to read novels on, not play games etc. Get a tablet if thats what you want.

09-13-2011, 01:27 PM	#27
kartu PRS+ author Posts: 1,637 Karma: 2446233 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-300, 505, 600, 650, 950	e-Ink reader hardware is VERY different from mobile platform. "E-Ink programming" is "calculate updated UI, update the screen, switch to sleep mode" => VERY different from what one does on mobile platform. It is technically possible to build crazy android version, but it's a huge effort. Sony already does have a powerful UI framework, that is even optimized for e-ink. There is no business requirement for such device to support installable apps. Usual android apps wouldn't work anyway, for reason mentioned above. So what incentive is left for Sony to do it? Just having an over-hyped buzzword in the list? Makes no sense.

09-13-2011, 02:09 PM	#29
graycyn Wizard Posts: 1,591 Karma: 11722446 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE Oregon Device: Kobo Sage, Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma, Kindle Oasis 2	I'm just as happy if it is the regular Sony software, I've been QUITE happy with that interface and really don't see a need for Android. I don't need apps, or games or whatever, I just need my reader to read books. My 950 does that very well indeed. So count me in the "don't fix what ain't broke" camp.

09-13-2011, 02:34 PM	#30
log ... Posts: 226 Karma: 514506 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: Sony PRS-T1	I think it will be feel like regular Sony software for the most part for you, and will not change the current experience. But the fact that it seems more and more likely that it is an Android device opens a world of possibilities for "enthusiasts" who like pushing the limits of what these devices can do.